Pic credit: Media: HapoelMidtown Jerusalem

Devontae Cacok (201-F/C-1996, college: UNCW) is a 29 year old 201cm forward playing his 7th professional season and fourth season overseas and first with Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (Israel-Winner League) In Europe he played with PBC CSKA Moscow (Russia-VTB United League) averaging 9.6ppg, 5.6rpg, FGP-1 (71.3%), FT: 45.1%, with Virtus Segafredo Bologna (Italy-Serie A) averaging 4.0ppg, 3.6rpg and in the Euroleague averaged 3.2ppg, 2.3rpg and with Universidad Catolica de Murcia CB (Spain-Liga ACB) averaging 11.4ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 67.5%, FT: 65.1%. He played his first 4 pro seasons in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers winning the NBA title in 2020 and also played in the G-League with the South Bay Lakers, Austin Spurs and Motor City Cruise. He began his basketball career at Alpharetta highs chool in Georgia and then played with the University of North Carolina Wilmington (NCAA) from 2015-2019 and in his last two seasons averaged 17.7ppg, 13.5rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 58.5%, FT: 61.2% and 15.1ppg, 12.3rpg, FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 60.0%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Eurocup game against German BBL team Rostock.

Thanks Devontae for talking to germanhoops.com. After playing in Russia, Italy and Spain, now you have a new challenge in Israel with Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (Israel-Winner League). What have you enjoyed most about the experience on and off the court? Americans usually rave about the weather and food.

My experience on and off the court in Israel has been great so far. The food in Israel has been great which I didn´t expect. Some of the places that I have been with my family and teammates off recommendations have been great. The weather is also nice. I like it in Jerusalem. It´s smooth.

What has it been like being teammates with Shake Milton who was in the NBA for many years. What will he give the team most and what have you appreciated most about his personality?

Shake is pretty much a veteran in my eyes. He has played in the league for so many years and playing last season for Partizan really is important. He brings his experience and veteran leadership. He is a cool calm guy and not stuck up at all, but down to earth. He is normal and easy to be around. He is a great teammate. He will help us keep our composure when things may get rough. He will help us win as many games as possible.

What has it been like playing for legend Sasa Obradovic? He has his own special coaching style and personality. How have you meshed with him?

Working together with Sasa has gone very well for me. I know what he expects from us and we have very high expectations this year. I feel like me just doing my job and being consistent and playing great defense is what he wants to instill in us every single day. I feel like I will do that. We have meshed very well.

You played the first time overseas with PBC CSKA Moscow (Russia-VTB United League) averaging 9.6ppg, 5.6rpg, FGP-1 (71.3%), FT: 45.1%. What do you remember to being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

I don´t think I had any real wake up call playing overseas for the first time. I have played against so many talented players and it is obviously different playing in a different country and being so far away from home, but even when you play in so many different cities in the States and me being from Atlanta and playing in Los Angeles my first two years, I was away from home. So coming overseas really didn´t make a big difference for me. You get used to being away from home. I had a great time in Moscow. CSKA is a great organization that took great care of me. I had a great time there.

You played two seasons with the La Lakers. How do you remember your NBA debut against the Sacramento Kings where you had 6 points in 8 minutes? Was there a lot of nervousness for you?

That was crazy. It was the Covid year and I was a rookie. I had played so many games prior to that. It was almost a year later when my rookie year started. Playing pre season games and playing against the best players in practice, I was prepared and ready to go. When I was in the bubble, I was just waiting for my name. It was a crazy rookie year, but I always stayed ready. When I finally got that opportunity, I took it. It was great to finally get that NBA debut and score that first bucket. Coming from a mid major school, didn´t really expect a guy like me to get to that point. I´m really grateful and appreciative of the Lakers organization for those two years, I had a great time.

What was it like being teammates with Lebron James? What was your fondest moment with him on or off the court?

Not many people can say that they were teammates with Lebron James. I remember the first time that I met him when I got my Exhibit 10 contract. I was getting ready for NBA Summer League and got there a couple days early to see the city and facilities. Lebron was actually working out and the only guy working out there. I went up to him and he introduced himself to me. He said “whats up I´m Bron”. Obviously I knew exactly who he was, but the fact that he introduced himself to me was a surreal moment for me that he took the time to say this is who I am. He is a great teammate and player that has done so many great things. I also remember in Vegas that he was working out before we had our practice I was able to see him work out and you see the kind of prep work he does. I was usually at the gym 3-4 hours before the game while he was there 5 hours before the game. Everything he has done in his career is not on accident. It isn´t a fluke. He puts in the time. He takes care of his body and puts in the work. I saw it personally every single day. He takes it seriously and doesn´t take anything for granted. Even at his age now, he continues to do great things. It will be fun to watch him in Philly this year.

In your 4th pro season before coming overseas you balled with the Motor City Cruise (NBA G League) averaging 18.4ppg, 9.6rpg, 1.5apg, 2FGP: 64.5%, 3FGP: 20.0%, FT: 65.6%. You had incredible games including a 44 point game against Windy City, but didn´t get a call up. Did you lose faith in the NBA?

I didn´t really lose faith in the NBA. I just realized that it´s really really hard to stay in the NBA. There are so many players where the NBA just doesn´t work out for. You have many solidified guys in the NBA. Then you think about all the jobs that are avaliable. There are new guys coming in every season plus all the exhibit 10 guys and 2 way contract players, the margin to stay is very small. I accepted it. It is what it is. I knew that the NBA wasn´t the and all and be all. I was Ok with that and decided to go overseas and start my journey there. I have been to many great places and with many great clubs. I really grateful to have been able to continue to play basketball overseas. Playing at high levels is all that matters to me.

You played at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (NCAA) from 2015-2019 and in your last 2 seasons averaged 17.7ppg, 13.5rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 58.5%, FT: 61.2% and 15.1ppg, 12.3rpg, FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 60.0%. You reached the Big Dance twice losing to Duke and Virginia. UNC Wilmington played Duke tough but lost. What memories do you have of that game?

I have great memories there. We had a lot of guys on the heels of Duke. We almost busted a lot of brackets that year. We lost by 5-6 points, but it was a great game all the way to the end. Duke had a great roster with Brandon Ingram, Luke Kennard and the Plumlee brothers. Virginia also had a great team. At least we set the tone from the start. We were like a 13th or 14th seed, but we weren´t going to give them a walk in the park. We held our own and competed at a very high level. We turned some heads and earned some respect from teams at let people know that we will compete no matter who we play. It was a great experience. I definitely enjoyed the big dance.

Who was then toughest player that you faced in the NCAA and NBA?

I can´t really say the toughest player I faced in the NCAA, because I played against so many tough players. I played 1-1 against Kevin Durant when I was in San Antonio. I had had an exhibit 10 contract with Brooklyn that year so I was able to get to know KD a little. Then I went to San Antonio on a 2 way contract and then played against him when he was with Brooklyn. I was matched up against KD and told him that it wouldn´t be no walk in the park. I had to hold my own and did. I played great defense against him. We were down when I got it in, but made a run but lost. It was a great game. KD gave me his jersey after the game. KD is one of the greatest players in NBA history.

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Leborn James, Steph Curry, Shaq, Kevin Durant, Michael Jordan

Thanks Devontae for the chat.